as in tale
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people
West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of folktale
Everyone in the studio nods along to Paco’s tough-minded flexes and mafioso folktales.
—
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.
—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
The movie opens like an old folktale, and that tone pervades the rest of the narrative.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
A lot of the folktales referenced in Rabbit Trap are drawn from this one text from 1880, called British Goblins, from an American anthropologist called Wirt Sikes, who traveled through Wales, collected stories and sightings of goblins and fairies.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.
—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
The movie opens like an old folktale, and that tone pervades the rest of the narrative.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
A lot of the folktales referenced in Rabbit Trap are drawn from this one text from 1880, called British Goblins, from an American anthropologist called Wirt Sikes, who traveled through Wales, collected stories and sightings of goblins and fairies.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktale
Noun
-
Both Van Poppel and Taylor, who injured his shoulder in a bar fight in 1993 and never reached the major leagues, are cautionary tales on the dangers of taking a high school pitcher in the first round.—
Melissa Lockard,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
-
Sula by Toni Morrison Toni Morrison’s suite of stunning historical novels includes Beloved, A Mercy, and this 1973 tale of a friendship between Sula Peace and Nel Wright.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Target $130 $70 (46% off) Walmart Blue’s Yeti is a USB mic legend.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
-
Several fans flooded the comments on Instagram and TikTok, calling Chief Keef a legend for finding his way into Melber’s headphones.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
For beautiful views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam, head to this greenspace with a scenic 1.3-mile trail along the waterfront with interpretive displays sharing stories about Florence’s history.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Instead of museum stories, this is a living legacy of knowledge that needs to be shared with the human family.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Learn the secrets behind wands, wishing trees and other plant folklore and myths.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
-
Beyond the myth, reality appears to be more complex.—
Ombline Damy,
JSTOR Daily,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Last weekend’s 4-3 loss to the Houston Dynamo at Snapdragon Stadium may go down as the first gut-punch in franchise history.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
The spending reduction amounts to the largest rollback of federal health-care support in history, Levitt said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Will Belly choose to keep her romance with Jeremiah going, or will Conrad find his way back to her heart — perhaps where he’s been all along?—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
What Will Happen in Love Island USA 2025? Love Island USA 2025 will follow the same format as previous seasons, with singles traveling to Fiji for a summer of romance and a chance at finding their one true love.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folktale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktale. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share